ISLAMABAD: Islamabad witnessed the commencement of the 16th National Assembly on Thursday as elected members took their oaths following the February 8 general elections. Outgoing Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf administered the oath to the newly elected members, marking the start of the maiden session, albeit with a delay of over an hour. The session opened with a recitation of the Holy Quran, with Raja Pervaiz Ashraf presiding over proceedings.
Leaders from various political parties, including Nawaz Sharif of PML-N, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of PPP, and Barrister Gohar of PTI, were present at the parliament to participate in the inaugural session.
Speaking to the media at the parliament house, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif criticized the recent letter sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the February 8 general elections, terming it detrimental to the nation.
President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi signed a summary, submitted by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, for the summoning of the National Assembly’s inaugural session, which commenced at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
In a statement from the Presidency, Dr. Arif Alvi expressed reservations over the summary forwarded by PM Anwaarul Kakar, criticizing its tone as deplorable. He emphasized his role as the head of state under Article 41 of the Constitution, waiting for 21 days before calling the NA session to allow for the resolution of issues regarding the allocation of reserved seats.
The two-day schedule for the NA inaugural session has been released, with newly elected members taking their oaths in the initial session. Nomination papers for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker elections will be available from noon on the same day, with the elections scheduled for March 1.
Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf convened the first session of the lower house of Parliament on February 29, as President Arif Alvi declined to summon the session, citing the incomplete House.
In response to a summary from the Parliamentary Affairs Division, President Alvi stated that he could not call the session as requested due to the NA being incomplete.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan, the first session of the National Assembly must be held within 21 days of the general elections. A senior official from the Secretariat of the National Assembly clarified that if the president fails to call the session within this timeframe, the secretariat itself could summon the session.
